A representative of Councilman Chris Seelbach said the councilman was told that because parade organizers consider the parade a Catholic event and the Gay/Lesbian/Straight Education Network goes against Catholic teachings, the parade would not allow GLSEN to participate in the parade.

The group did apply to march in the parade within the required deadline, the representative said.

"It was disappointing, and that's why it came out of the blue because we saw no reason we should be excluded," said Josh Wagoner, co-chair of GLSEN Cincinnati.

Wagoner said the group was blindsided when they were given the boot.

"(The parade organizer) was very that the decision has been made and it was only because we have the name, gay and lesbian, in our organization. That was the only justification," said Wagoner.

The parade's grand marshal, Chris Schulte, said the event is intended to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland and should not be used to advance any political party, social movement or cause.

"The Parade has allowed participants to identify themselves and the organization they represent, but no solicitations are permitted by the marchers or in the crowd along the parade route," Schulte said in a statement.

Schulte said the restrictions were plainly stated in the parade orders given to all potential participants.

He said the Gay/Lesbian/Straight Educational Network participated in last year's parade but did not abide by the event's guidelines, and he said the group indicated it would not agree this year to the parade orders.

Schulte said the same rules apply equally to any participant. He said some pro-life or pro-choice groups that had not agreed to the requirements were barred from participating in previous parades.

"I said, 'What if I just marched in green T-shirts behind our banner, which has our name on it, and he said, 'No, that would not be acceptable,'" said Wagoner.

Councilman Wendell Young said Friday that he would not march in the parade as a result of the decision.

"If this continues to be the attitude going forward, I am going to be one of those councilmembers who says the city should not participate and not contribute any money toward this parade," said Young.